Ajarn poster and teacher Ruaraidh killed

**Mister Fixit** · 12-02-2008, 12:55 PM

I am sad to say that one of the nicest teachers posting on Ajarn was killed last night.

The poster Ruaraidh was well-known on the forum for his positive, up-beat attitude and it's shocked everyone there, including me.

Rurys Passing - Ajarn Forum - Living and Teaching In Thailand

RIP.

**Bexar County Stud** · 12-02-2008, 01:17 PM

He took the time to share his life via the forum and made a good impression on a lot of people he didn't even meet. I feel very sad about it and I never met the guy.
My heart goes out to those who knew him, condolences.

**Happyman** · 12-02-2008, 02:38 PM

Originally Posted by Bexar County Stud

He took the time to share his life via the forum and made a good impression on a lot of people he didn't even meet. I feel very sad about it and I never met the guy.
My heart goes out to those who knew him, condolences.

Totally agree.

Had never heard of the chap but went into Ajarn and read some of his postings.

Always sad when someone passes on but even more so in this case it seems - someone who did what he wanted and did it right- enjoy life and help others to enjoy theirs!

R.I.P.

**machman** · 12-02-2008, 01:18 PM

Thoughts and sympathy go out to his friends and family.

**Topper** · 12-02-2008, 01:49 PM

He's one of the few posters I've met in person and he was just a cool in person as on the forum. His love of his students showed everytime he spoke about them and wasn't shy at all to share his life with everyone.

My condolences to his wife and family. If there's anything the wife or I can do in this time of need, please let us know.

**Mister Fixit** · 12-02-2008, 02:00 PM

It was so shocking to read this morning. One of the most positive posters on Ajarn and a credit to the teachers in Thailand.

**kingwilly** · 12-02-2008, 02:01 PM

indeed.

**unkleblacky** · 12-02-2008, 03:11 PM

sad new, RIP

**good2bhappy** · 12-02-2008, 03:19 PM

My thoughts and sympathies go out to his friends and family.
RIP

**hillbilly** · 12-02-2008, 05:54 PM

Heard the news early this morning. So sad.

**Mister Fixit** · 12-02-2008, 10:59 PM

Unfortunately, the bickering seems to have started already. I posted a thread suggesting a collection for his family to help them in the future days and weeks and was shouted down as 'blarting' about money.

Some people, eh? Think they have a monopoly on grief. It's also a sad reflection on them.

It looks as though he is going to have a rousing send-off though.

**Topper** · 12-02-2008, 11:05 PM

MF,

Me and the wife already thought about setting up a fund or something...but right now I think emotions are too high. Please keep us informed and let us know whats happening.

Thanks,
Topper

**Mister Fixit** · 12-02-2008, 11:41 PM

Originally Posted by CSFFan

MF,

Me and the wife already thought about setting up a fund or something...but right now I think emotions are too high. Please keep us informed and let us know whats happening.

Thanks,
Topper

OK, will do. I think you are correct about the emotions - the poster who took a pop was a bit upset and also seemed to imply in a further post that only people who had met the chap should contribute. I am sure he wasn't thinking well.

However, I will continue report back here. I really do think 500 baht or a grand a person on Ajarn is not too much to ask for, but someone else said his family were OK for money. But we'll see.

Unfortunately, there seems to be some jockeying for position going on just now - 'I met him and you didn't' and 'I knew him better than you' type of stuff. I really hope it goes away soon.

**dirtydog** · 13-02-2008, 12:13 AM

As he was a teacher in Thailand i doubt he or his family were rich, a little bit of money always helps out.

**Mister Fixit** · 13-02-2008, 03:28 PM

Originally Posted by dirtydog

As he was a teacher in Thailand i doubt he or his family were rich, a little bit of money always helps out.

That's exactly what I was thinking, and why I suggested the idea.

It is a few months down the line when people start to feel the pinch when the savings are nearing the end and there is no-one to earn the loot any more. That's when things REALLY hurt.

And then there are the unexpected expenses of a funeral, extra travelling and all the other unbudgeted-for things when someone dies suddenly.

Short-sighted to refuse, in my view.

**Smeg** · 13-02-2008, 08:59 PM

Originally Posted by Mister Fixit

Originally Posted by dirtydog

As he was a teacher in Thailand i doubt he or his family were rich, a little bit of money always helps out.

That's exactly what I was thinking, and why I suggested the idea.

It is a few months down the line when people start to feel the pinch when the savings are nearing the end and there is no-one to earn the loot any more. That's when things REALLY hurt.

And then there are the unexpected expenses of a funeral, extra travelling and all the other unbudgeted-for things when someone dies suddenly.

Short-sighted to refuse, in my view.

From what I recall, he has a young child (assumption based on a photo). I would hope that anyone with a young child, especially if regularly riding a motorcycle in Thailand, had adequate life insurance to cover long-term financial parential obligations. I hope and pray for that child that he did.

Originally Posted by Mister Fixit

I really do think 500 baht or a grand a person on Ajarn is not too much to ask for

From people who never knew or met him, it probably is. However, using the forum as a trade union is a nice idea.

**Mister Fixit** · 15-02-2008, 08:36 AM

Originally Posted by Smeg

Originally Posted by Mister Fixit

Originally Posted by dirtydog

As he was a teacher in Thailand i doubt he or his family were rich, a little bit of money always helps out.

That's exactly what I was thinking, and why I suggested the idea.

It is a few months down the line when people start to feel the pinch when the savings are nearing the end and there is no-one to earn the loot any more. That's when things REALLY hurt.

And then there are the unexpected expenses of a funeral, extra travelling and all the other unbudgeted-for things when someone dies suddenly.

Short-sighted to refuse, in my view.

From what I recall, he has a young child (assumption based on a photo). I would hope that anyone with a young child, especially if regularly riding a motorcycle in Thailand, had adequate life insurance to cover long-term financial parential obligations. I hope and pray for that child that he did.

Bit sanctimonious. I'm not sure if he has a child in Thailand, but he has an adult daughter who lives in Australia, who is over here now. I suspect the child in the picture you re-posted is a grand-daughter.

Originally Posted by Mister Fixit

I really do think 500 baht or a grand a person on Ajarn is not too much to ask for

From people who never knew or met him, it probably is. However, using the forum as a trade union is a nice idea.

That's essentially what it is. Or at least a place for people in a certain profession to virtually meet. It's a small place, the ex-pat world and there but for the grace of God, etc.

Which is also why I don't think 500 baht or so is a big deal. I never met him in reality, but I enjoyed his posts and upbeat attitude, so consider I 'knew' him through them.

**Smeg** · 15-02-2008, 10:15 PM

Originally Posted by Mister Fixit

Originally Posted by Smeg

From what I recall, he has a young child (assumption based on a photo). I would hope that anyone with a young child, especially if regularly riding a motorcycle in Thailand, had adequate life insurance to cover long-term financial parential obligations. I hope and pray for that child that he did.

Bit sanctimonious. I'm not sure if he has a child in Thailand, but he has an adult daughter who lives in Australia, who is over here now. I suspect the child in the picture you re-posted is a grand-daughter.

Why is it sanctimonious? I'd say that it is a general and commonly held opinion. And I'd say that you are the one beng sanctimonious, starting threads asking every forum member to hand over money. If you want to hand some over yourself, do so, and allow others the right to make the same decision using their own intelligence without insulting them by presuming that they need to be asked to.

Originally Posted by Mister Fixit

From people who never knew or met him, it probably is. However, using the forum as a trade union is a nice idea.

That's essentially what it is. Or at least a place for people in a certain profession to virtually meet. It's a small place, the ex-pat world and there but for the grace of God, etc.

Which is also why I don't think 500 baht or so is a big deal. I never met him in reality, but I enjoyed his posts and upbeat attitude, so consider I 'knew' him through them.

Ajarnforum is an internet forum where anyone on the planet can discuss teaching in Thailand or anything else, and which a few people who don't meet enough friends through other means use to make new friends, both teachers and otherwise.

A trade union is a fee-charging "insurance policy" open to workers in particular trades only of which the main purpose is to provide collective bargaining and welfare benefits.

I see very little similarity between the two. If you do, perhaps you are desperately wishing their was an ajarn trade union so imagining the forum to be it, who knows...

**Hootad Binky** · 13-02-2008, 01:34 AM

Can't find the link, but isn't there a website that tracks farang deaths in Thailand?

**Mister Fixit** · 13-02-2008, 03:30 PM

Originally Posted by Hootad Binky

Can't find the link, but isn't there a website that tracks farang deaths in Thailand?

Wasn't aware of one. What about Thaivisa? Would it be there?

**obsidian** · 13-02-2008, 03:32 PM

Originally Posted by Mister Fixit

Unfortunately, there seems to be some jockeying for position going on just now - 'I met him and you didn't' and 'I knew him better than you' type of stuff.

missed this bit of insight over there.

**Roxanne** · 13-02-2008, 06:53 PM

he was a helluva fella. he injected some wit and enthusiasm into ajarn once more. i was looking forward to getting to know the guy a bit better, i only met him once. it was a pleasure tho.

**Smeg** · 13-02-2008, 09:30 PM

A nice photo:

**mad_dog** · 03-03-2008, 08:51 AM

Originally Posted by Smeg

A nice photo:

We constantly see farangs of over 45 or 50 with young sprogs and young wives..... Don't see an established families around much. It can make you a bit cynical...

**ChiangMai noon** · 14-02-2008, 11:26 PM

it's very sad news when something like this happens.

he was definitely a very upbeat poster on these forums full of cynical bastards and was obviously very well liked by the many people who had met him.

condolences to all his friends and family.

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